Launching Your Journey to the King’s Awards for Enterprise

Let’s show the UK what Greater Manchester is all about!

The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious awards for businesses, recognising and celebrating business excellence across the UK.

Applications for the King’s Award for Enterprise 2026 are now open, giving your organisation the chance to achieve the Royal seal of approval by showcasing your success in the award categories of innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility.

“This year (2025) the smallest winner had 2 employees, and the largest winner had 54,000 employees so businesses of all sizes and in all sectors can apply” Dr Vikas Shah MBE DL

To support applications for the King’s Awards for Enterprise all year round, we’re inviting you to join the pathway to prestige by attending this invaluable in person event at the impressive and newly renovated Rochdale Town Hall. The perfect mix of insight, inspiration and interactive breakout sessions, this event will introduce you to our specialist support and resources as well as from our partners and network of winners.

INSIGHT

Pathway to Prestige – Launching Your Journey to the King’s Awards for Enterprise Chaired by Dr Vikas Shah MBE DL

INSPIRATION

Hear about Inspiring Journeys: Past Award Winners Panel - 2-3 previous winners sharing their insights on applying, winning and the phenomenal impact

INTERACTION

Join in with our interactive breakout sessions, meet with previous winners, and network with other organisations to build your application

For businesses: Writing impactful narratives, identifying key attributes to a successful application, collating your evidence, planning with the end in mind

For the Greater Manchester partners: How to promote and encourage your clients with the importance of making time to apply for this tremendous accolade

As Greater Manchester’s business support organisation, we’re proud to have supported previous King’s Award for Enterprise winners through our dedicated business support. Providing access to resources and our extensive network of partners and past winners to contribute towards application success.

Quote Dr Vikas Shah MBE DL:

“most winners report increases in sales, increases in motivation, increases in profile, it’s a really extraordinary thing for your business to win”

Whilst the closing date for 2026 applications is 9th September 1pm, so we’re encouraging Greater Manchester’s organisations to get ready for 2027 through the launch of GM Business Growth Hub's new resource guidance available throughout the year!

Thank you to the Rochdale Development Agency (RDA) for their support in partnering with us to deliver our event to support the local business community.

Help us to continue to put Greater Manchester on the map!

More about the King’s Award for Enterprise. Valid for 5 years, if you achieve an award you’ll be:

• Invited to a Royal reception / Royal Garden Party

• Presented with the award at your company from His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant

• Able to fly The King’s Awards flag at your main office, and use the emblem on your marketing materials (for example, on your packaging, advertisements, stationery and website)

• Given a Grant of Appointment (an official certificate) and a commemorative crystal trophy

GM Business Growth Hub is proud to be working with His Majesty's Lieutenancy office to support businesses across Greater Manchester in applying for The King's Awards for Enterprise. We will be joined by Deputy Lieutenants from Rochdale, Oldham, and Bury who will be on hand to support local businesses from within their boroughs.

Find out more about The King's Awards for Enterprise and the criteria for nominating your business: https://www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise

Eligibility:

• Greater Manchester Clients Only

As this workshop is fully-funded, businesses are subject to funders' eligibility criteria. If your place is confirmed, you will receive an email from us with further details

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